Military

CHAPTER 5

Information Networking

This chapter outlines the information required to operate an A²C² system. The matrixes depict the primary players at the various headquarters organizations--ranging from the BCE to the maneuver battalion. The information required, the source of the information, the element of the staff using the information, and the expected uses of the information are shown at the matrixes. The information shown is not all inclusive, nor will all of it be required in every scenario; it is situation dependent.

BATTLEFIELD COORDINATION ELEMENT

The A²C² element representing the LCC is located in the BCE. A plans division and an operations division are part of the BCE.

PLANS DIVISION

The BCE representative in the plans division needs information on all requests for control measures and restrictions to interface within the TACC's airspace control center. (See Chapter 2 for control measures and restrictions.) This information is provided by the appropriate corps A²C² elements. Other information required by the BCE representative in the plans division includes:

• FLOT location and FSCL location.

• Friendly surface-to-air missile location and associated coverage.

• AD weapons control status.

• Significant planned indirect fires, particularly fires forward of the FSCL.

• Planned RPV operations and launch sites.

• A²C² priorities.

• ATO and ACO.

• Disposition of Army airfields and principal landing sites.

The BCE A²C² representative, in coordination with the TACC combat plans division, provides approval or disapproval notification for Army airspace requests, orders, and recommendations to the appropriate requesting corps A²C² element (G3), corps FSE, or CRC. Additionally, the BCE representative provides the current Air Force airspace utilization priorities, control measures or restrictions, and all other elements of information necessary for the corps to maintain a complete A²C² picture.

OPERATIONS DIVISION

To interface with the TACC combat operations division, the BCE representative in the operations division needs information concerning the following:

• Requests for immediate changes to the current A²C² plan (as established in the control plan, ATO, or ACO).

• Changes to the weapons control status.

• Changes to the ADA HIMAD locations.

• Changes to FLOT and, or boundaries.

• Additions or changes to the significant planned indirect fires.

• Procedural changes to IFF or SIF.

• ATO and ACO.

• RPV or UAV missions above the coordinating altitude.

• Locations of instrumented airfields.

• Movement of Army airfields.

• Reduction or suspension of Army air traffic management services.

The matrix at Figure 5-1 depicts BCE vertical informational requirements.

Fig. 5-1.       BCE VERTICAL INFORMATION NETWORKING

CORPS A²C² ELEMENT

The corps A²C² element has staff responsibility for A²C² within the corps area. The corps A²C² element staff function requires information provided from the sources listed in Figure 5-2. The staff elements utilizing this information are shown by duty position.

The matrix at Figure 5-3 depicts corps A²C² element informational requirements such as:

• Where information from outside the corps A²C² element originates.

• Who the primary corps A²C² element action officer is.

• Where the information is sent when going outside the corps A²C² element.

• What the information is used for.

DIVISION A²C² ELEMENT

The division A²C² element has staff responsibility for A²C² within the division area, requiring information provided from the sources listed in Figure 5-4. The staff elements utilizing this information are shown by duty position.

The following matrix depicts division A²C² element informational requirements such as:

• Where the information is transmitted when going outside the division A²C² element.

• Where information from outside the division A²C² element originates.

• What the information is used for.

• Who the primary division A²C² element action officer is.

BRIGADE A²C² ELEMENT

A²C² at brigade is performed by members of the brigade staff. As there is no formalized A²C² element at brigade, the brigade staff performs A²C² by extracting information from various sources. The brigade commander may form a brigade A²C² element from the ADA LO, the brigade FSO, the ALO, and the Army aviation LO when available. When the Army aviation LO is not present, his duties are assumed by the S3 Air. When present, the Army aviation LO performs the following functions in accomplishing coordination on the brigade staff:

• Reviews the airspace utilization and Army aviation plans and graphics from the division OPORD and OPLAN; advises the brigade commander and staff on actions required at the brigade to follow or to implement the required A²C² measures.

• Receives the division aviation battalion OPORD or OPLAN; advises the brigade commander and staff on Army aviation support in the brigade area.

• Receives brigade OPLAN or OPORD; advises on Army aviation annex when necessary; assists in planning operations requiring Army aviation support.

A²C² priorities are established and coordination is accomplished on the brigade staff as follows:

• Division A²C² priorities are received from the division A²C² element for implementation at the brigade.

• Significant planned indirect fires are received from the FSO and sent to aviation unit operations. Significant indirect fires that are immediate are sent to the FCC either direct or through the division A²C² element.

• Requests for brigade A²C² priorities are received from the brigade S3 Air and forwarded to the division A²C² element for approval.

• Field artillery locations are received from the FSO and sent to aviation unit operations.

• Fire support coordination measures are received from the FSO and sent to aviation unit operations.

• ADA weapons control status is received from the ADA LO and sent to aviation unit operations.

• A²C² restrictions received from the division A²C² element are passed to the FSO, S3 Air, ALO, and ADA LO for fire support planning. A²C² restrictions originating at brigade to facilitate fire support planning are sent to aviation unit operations and the division A²C² element.

• FLOT information is received from the brigade S3 and sent to aviation unit operations.

• AD warnings are received from the ADA LO and sent to aviation unit operations.

• Requests for Air Force air support are received from the S3 Air. Once requests are approved and scheduled, the information is sent to aviation unit operations.

• Requests for Army aviation support are received from the S3 Air and sent to the division A²C² element and supporting aviation unit.

The brigade staff function requires information provided from the sources listed in Figure 5-6. The staff elements utilizing this information are shown by duty position.

The matrix at Figure 5-7 depicts the brigade staff's informational requirements such as:

• Where information from outside the brigade originates.

• Who the primary brigade action officer is.

• Where the information is transmitted when going outside the brigade staff.

• What the information is used for.

BATTALION A²C² ELEMENT

As with the brigade staff, there is no formalized A²C² element at battalion. The commander is the airspace manager and his staff performs the coordination. The information requirements by duty position are the same from brigade to battalion with one exception. The S3/S3 Air generates the ADA and aviation information if either the ADA or aviation LO is not present.

The matrix at Figure 5-8 depicts the battalion staff's informational requirements such as:

• Where information from outside the battalion originates.

• Who the primary battalion action officer is.

• Where the information is transmitted when going outside the battalion staff.

• What the information is used for.

A²C² COMMUNICATIONS

Communications nets for each echelon of command from corps through maneuver battalion are established to facilitate command and control activities. The A²C² system does not have a separate communications system or net. The A²C² system utilizes existing communications systems from each major functional airspace user-- maneuver, air defense, fire support, intelligence and electronic warfare, combat service support--to link the system. A²C² elements are linked horizontally and vertically by maneuver functional area communications and automation systems, principally those of the G3 and, or S3 staff section. A²C² elements use secure and nonsecure voice record copy, messenger, and host nation channels to communicate with all airspace members of the combined arms team and supporting services. A²C² elements operate on the operations net as required. Multichannel communications systems provide the primary means of communications for the A²C² system. Figure 5-9 depicts the communications connectivity established throughout a theater.

FIGURE 5-9. COMMUNICATIONS CONNECTIVITY FROM BATTALION T0 EAC.

The various staff and liaison elements represented in the A²C² element maintain contact with their parent organizations with the multichannel communications system. As an alternate means of communications with their unit, and with coordination and approval from the appropriate CE staff officer, selected representatives may install, operate, and maintain FM communications provided by their parent unit.

For example, the ADA representative in the division main CP A²C² element employs an FM radio to communicate directly with the divisional ADA battalion's air battle management operations center (ABMOC). Internal CP communications link the A²C² element within the fire support cell to the operations, plans, intelligence, and combat service support cells.

Communications linkage between the A²C² system and airborne airspace users is primarily achieved through Army ATS elements such as the FOC and FCC. ATS liaison elements at division and corps establish communications with the appropriate FOCs and FCCs. The A²C² element then communicates through the FCC or FOC with the airborne assets. The FOC interfaces with the CRC either by collocating with the CRC or by communications linkage. This interface with the CRC provides the A²C² element and other airspace users a communications channel to the airspace management liaison section within the CRC.

A²C² elements at each command echelon may use Air Force communications systems to provide alternate channels for coordinating airspace control information with the AMLS at the CRC, and with the airspace coordination center at the TACC. Air tasking orders, airspace control orders, and other airspace control-related messages are disseminated through Air Force channels and communications systems to the ASOC at corps, and often to the TACP at division level.